Lions vs. Saints: 5 Saints Who Must Step Their Game Up for New Orleans to Win

This week I've reviewed the season in full with an awards column, discussed five areas the Saints must improve to win it all, presented a witty, sarcastic look at the Lions' best chance to defeat the Saints this weekend, and yesterday, took a look at the probable Saints game plan for Saturday night's contest. 

Today, in my final column ahead of the Wild-Card tilt, I want to look at five Saints players who must step up this weekend—and for most of them going forward—in order for the Saints to claim victory. 

5. WR Adrian Arrington

On the season, Adrian Arrington has two catches for 31 yards. He's played in only three regular-season games in his entire pro career. 

Yet, Saturday night—barring an unforeseen miracle in the recovery of Lance Moore—Arrington will be dressing and likely fielding at least a few pass attempts from the Saints’ record-setting quarterback Drew Brees, in a playoff game nonetheless.

The Saints offense will be effective regardless of how much or how effectively Arrington plays. That's why he comes in at No. 5. But there’s no doubt, Sean Payton and Drew Brees would like to see young Mr. Arrington provide similar aptitude to the man he’s replacing—Lance Moore.

If ever there were a time for Arrington to step up it’s now. 

4. OLB Martez Wilson

The young rookie recorded his first career sack Sunday against the Carolina Panthers. The Panthers finished 6-10 on the campaign. The Lions are 10-6. 

Yet, Wilson figures to see an increased role this week, due to Jonathan Casillas' likely inactive status due to an injury. 

Of course, Ramon Humber will start at outside linebacker, but Wilson figures to play extensively. 

The Saints are further troubled by injuries at the position, if Jonathan Vilma is unable to suit up. Luckily, as I pointed out in the awards column, no coach on the team has done more with less this season than LB coach Joe Vitt. 

Whoever is in the lineup will be ready to play against this explosive Detroit Lions offense. 

3. OLB Scott Shanle

Shanle has had about as enigmatic season as any player on this Saints team—and probably throughout the league. At times, Shanle has been wonderful, at other times horrible, but most of the time simply a solid player.

Given the Lions’ propensity to throw the ball down the seam to their tight ends, Shanle is going to have to be at the top of his game for a Saints' victory.

He’s done it before, but the Saints cannot count on it in quite the same way they can count on Drew Brees.

They sure wish they could. 

2.RT Zach Strief

Zach Strief has been solid at right tackle for the Saints—especially since returning from injury in Week 9 against Tampa Bay.

But the Lions’ pass rush is almost as good as the New York Giants’ front-four assault on quarterbacks. And they do it essentially the same way.

It’s a no thrills, never-ending pursuit of the quarterback. The Lions’ front four has a motor that could power Air Force One. For that reason, Zach Strief will be placed under a microscope on Saturday night.

The better he responds, the more likely Drew Brees has a huge night—and I trust that likelihood is pretty high. 

1. DT Aubrayo Franklin/Shaun Rogers

It would be nice to see some more fight out of this duo given that one or both of them are on the field for approximately 75 percent of the Saints' defensive snaps. 

Both have stepped up in the second half of the season—hence the dramatic improvement in rush defense in the second half of the season.

But rush defense won’t be tremendously crucial Saturday night. Instead, Rogers and Franklin need to find a way to impact the football game by crashing the pocket and getting Matthew Stafford outside.

And/or when Stafford throws from the pocket, these players need to get their hands in throwing lanes to knock the football down or at least eliminate Stafford’s downfield vision.

If the duo can simply do that Saturday night, their respective offseason acquisitions will be well worth the money and the time it took for them to really impact a football game.